Did Josh King Make the Top 8 of ‘American Idol’ 2025?

Airport pianist Josh King, who made it into the top 10 of “American Idol” season 23, vied for viewers’ votes again on May 4, 2025, energetically performing Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” Contestants performed songs made famous by “iconic women in music,” the theme of the episode that aired live from coast-to-coast. Viewers had less than two hours to vote for their favorites during the show, determining who would make it through to the top 8 of season 23.

SPOILER ALERT: Do not continue reading if you do NOT want to know whether King made it into the top 8.

After voting closed during the final commercial break, host Ryan Seacrest was ready to reveal which members of season 23’s top 10 would advance to the top 8. So did King make it through?

Yes! He made it through.

And here’s a breakdown of tonight’s full results.

Josh King’s Growth Since His Audition Made Luke Bryan Jump for Joy

King, 24, grew so much in his “American Idol” journey that Bryan jumped on his chair with excitement during the April 14 episode in Hawaii after the Charlotte, North Carolina, singer wrapped up his joyful rendition of Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing.” 

“I’m just excited for him,” Bryan said of King, an airport piano player who was challenged by the judges during his audition to shift from lounge singer to pop singer in the weeks ahead. Otherwise, they predicted, he’d flounder — but King took their advice to heart.

“You’re the type of person America falls in love with,” Bryan told King after stepping down from his chair. “We remember your audition, and we remember every little growth to get to this point. And then, you just did a whole performance and when you brought the harmonica out, the intensity of the crowd went to another level. You’re working the stage, everything looks great, and America is gonna love you for that!”

Josh King Vulnerably Shared That He Fears Losing ‘American Idol’ Family

On April 28, before King performed “All By Myself” and was voted into the top 10, he vulnerably shared that he grew up a loner with few friends and worried about the connections he’d made at “American Idol” fading once his journey was over.

“There are some of the greatest friends I’ve ever had, and I love them for that,” he explained. “But it’s that fear in the back of mind that once this ends and this journey ends with ‘American Idol,’ that things will go to the way they used to be.”

I want to have as many good memories with everyone for as long as possible,” he added, and got teary-eyed as he finished his song and looked over at his new friends.

During the judges’ feedback, Lionel Richie told him, ““I want you to believe this. Since Luke and I have been here, there has never been a class this talented, ever, for us. You will never, ever be alone again in your life. Never.”